My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD DEY, M. D., a well known physician and surgeon residing at Romulus, was born in the town of Fayette, September 17, 1832, and is a daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Kenner) Dey. His father was a native of New Jersey, and by occupation was a farmer and carpenter. He married Mary Kenner in New Jersey, and removed to Seneca County in 1813. They became the parents of six children: Hannah, Peter N., Mary, Gilbert, Richard and Henry. The subject of this sketch was born and reared on the farm, and, in common with farmer lads in general, was required to assist in the labors of the farm as soon as his age would permit. In his boyhood and youth he attended the district schools in the neighborhood where the family resided, and remained at home until after he had attained his majority. He has been twice married, first in September, 1861, to Miss Mary J. Henion, who died seven months after their marriage, and in 1868 to Miss Emma Salyer, by whom he has three children: Gilbert S., who is a mechanical draughtsman residing in Rochester; De Witt, who resides in Romulus; and E. Grace, at home.

When twenty-one years of age, our subject took a short course in the academy at Seneca Falls. Previous to this, however, he began teaching in the district schools, continuing thus engaged for ten years. During the last two years he also read medicine with Dr. George W. Davis, of Seneca Falls. He then entered the University of Michigan, where he remained one year, and then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. The War for the Union was in progress at that time, and, although he had not yet received his diploma, he was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon of the United States army, April 15, 1864, and was stationed for a short time at Washington. From there he was sent to Belle Plains, and later was on the hospital transport. In the fall of 1864 he returned to college, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1865.

On receiving his diploma, Dr. Dey commenced the practice of his profession at Seneca Falls, where he remained two years, and in 1867 came to Romulus, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of three years spent in Waterloo. His success has equaled his anticipations, and he has a practice of which he may well be proud. He is a constant reader of medical works and papers, and keeps well posted in his profession. He is not one of the kind that believes that all medical skill and knowledge rested with those in the past, but believes that new discoveries are being constantly made, and does not hesitate to adopt such theories as may seem practical, or which have been thoroughly tested by others. In the proceedings and discussions of the various medical associations of which he is a member he takes an active part. In politics he has always been a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, the great “Path-Finder,” and first Presidential candidate of the Republican party. While interested in political affairs, and believing it the duty of every citizen to take part, he has never sought or desired public office for himself. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, and religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.